Polish Nalewka Cherry Cordial Liqueur (Wisniak)

Written by
Barbara Rolek
Barbara Rolek is a former chef who became a cooking school instructor and award-winning food writer.
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Barbara Rolek
Updated 08/12/19
Polish cherry nalewka recipe

The Spruce / Katarina Zunic
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 20 mins
Servings: 21 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
92 Calories
0g Fat
11g Carbs
0g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 21
Amount per serving
Calories 92
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 1mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 11g 4%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Protein 0g
Calcium 2mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

A Polish nalewka is an aged cordial. The most common types are made with fruit and either vodka or rectified spirits. This recipe for cherry nalewka or wiśniak is traditionally made with Morello cherries, a sour type of cherry. If Morello cherries aren't available in your area, you can certainly use sour pie cherries. Nalewki make excellent edible gifts, so plan accordingly when making them for Christmas.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound sour cherries (washed, stemmed, and pitted)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 cups rectified spirits (or good-quality vodka like chopin vodka)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for Polish cherry nalewka
    The Spruce / Katarina Zunic

  2. Place cherries in a 1 quart (1 liter) jar. Pour sugar over cherries (do not stir or shake).

    Place cherries in jar
    The Spruce / Katarina Zunic

  3. Slowly pour the spirits or vodka over the cherries until the jar is full (leave a slight gap at the top). Make sure cherries are covered but do not stir or shake.

    Pour in spirits
    The Spruce / Katarina Zunic

  4. Tightly close the jar and place in a pantry or closet for 3 months at room temperature.

    Close jar
    The Spruce / Katarina Zunic

  5. After 3 months, strain the ​nalewka and rebottle. It may be drunk immediately or aged further.

    Strain
    The Spruce / Katarina Zunic

  6. Serve and enjoy!

    Serve
    The Spruce / Katarina Zunic

Tip

  • Don't throw away the fruit. It is delicious on ice cream, pound cake, or other desserts.​

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